When it comes to redecorating your home, whether you’re taking on the entire house or a single room. It can be easy to get carried away spending days, weeks deciding on the choice of paint colour. Or finding the perfect wallpaper to compliment the room. When you come to realise that the actual process of putting your wallpaper up is one of the last things you will do when redecorating, it can feel a bit deflating and make the task seem a lot more monumental than it actually is.
Where To Start?
I’m in the process of giving our kitchen a new lease of life. With a new lick of paint and new tile design. We originally had these horrible brown tiles on the walls that made it look dark and dull. However we now have these beautiful duck egg blue bevelled tiles. It makes the space look so much brighter, cleaner and overall more inviting. They’ve also made the kitchen look more like a traditional space.
The idea did seem a lot more simple than it turned out to be. Chunks of plaster came off the walls with the tiles so that had to be re-plastered. Then we found out the windowsill had begun to rot on the underside so that needed to be replaced as well. To be honest, this was a blessing in disguise as we came across a stunning piece of weathered oak. Our new windowsill! It’s made the kitchen look just like a cottage kitchen and we love it!
Get A Handy Man
We decided to get a handyman in to do the painting for us as neither of us enjoy it. We also needed the handyman to take off the tiles, and a proper plasterer to fix behind the tiles. I hear its quite an art form to get right, and smooth! Our handyman was amazing and did such a great job. All we did was search Google for handymen in our area and ask family/friends if that had any references.
Windows And Door
If a room is in need of decorating you’ll want to ensure your windows and doors aren’t in need of replacing too. If there’s condensation between your glass panels. It could mean your double glazing has given up the ghost, and you need to look for replacements. If you feel a draft, it could mean your door pane needs re-sealing. It’s a good idea to have these jobs addressed before you start redecorating, so you know what you’re working with. Plus that way you can put a plan in place BEFORE you get started. Also, if you’re having people do the work for you, it’ll be useful for them to know exactly what you want done.
Mould
This goes hand in hand with the last point, as poor double glazing and sealant can lead to mould growth. Many houses are plagued with mould without the inhabitants even realising it. It tends to appear in places you don’t notice – like behind your wardrobe. Nipping mould in the bud before it spreads is essential to ensure you don’t have to bleach your wall every time the season changes. Using a specific mould killing product and a mould resistant paint to make sure the problem doesn’t return. It will also help you avoid the damage and unpleasant smell that accompanies mould!
Flooring
A new floor can completely transform a room. Evaluate whether you would like to change your flooring when re-decorating. Even though this may be one of the last things to accomplish on your decorating to do list. It’s a good idea to decide on what you are doing before you begin your process. If you are laying hardwood floor, you may want to replace skirting boards, meaning you will want to hold off painting your walls until you have ripped your old ones up. If you are not replacing the floor at all, you will want to ensure you buy sheets that fully protect it from any dust and spilt paint, otherwise, you may end up having to replace it without wanting to in the first place. Planning ahead – and thoroughly – will always save you time and money in the long run.
Preparation Materials
If you have never redecorated before, it may come as a shock to you how much preparation needs to be put in. Sanding the walls, using sugar soap and allowing the walls to dry, and stripping gloss from skirting boards can all take a lot of time. That time is cut down however if you invest in materials that will aid the job. For example, some thing like an electric sander will definitely do a much quicker and thorough job than sanding by hand…which could take you hours depending on the size of the area you plan on sanding. Just taking the time to evaluate the tools and materials you have in your possession, and weighing up whether a few new investments will help you to cut down the time it takes to redecorate, could be your saving grace.
Hopefully, this has given you a few ideas to update your home, that will help you to cut down your stress and work time when redecorating.
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